Whether you are planning on buying a yacht and sailing off in to the sunset, or if you have no intention of doing that but you do plan to retire at some stage – then this post is for you! Saving for your retirement is a hot topic here in New Zealand. At the ripe…
Here in New Zealand we are constantly being reminded about the dangers of skin cancer and the importance of getting your moles checked. New Zealand and Australia have the highest rates of melanoma in the world. As sailors who spend a lot of time outside and in the sun, we are particularly vulnerable, I booked myself…
A grab bag goes hand in hand with our life raft – in the category of things you need to have that cost lots of money and take up space but you hope you never have to use. This is the bag that you grab when your boat is sinking or on fire, just as…
I remember the first time I saw a folding bike in real life, some people turned up to a cafe in Mt Maunganui with these strange looking bikes and carrying dry bags. “Cruisers” we thought, and we were right. We got chatting and they had sailed half way around the world to get to New…
Originally posted on Astrolabe Sailing:
It seems that creating a more minimalistic lifestyle is all the rage these days. Even people who aren’t planning on living on a boat are seeing the benefits of downsizing, getting rid of the clutter in their lives, purchasing experiences instead of material things. Everywhere I look there are articles…
According to the blogs I read – we absolutely must have a boat business card! Naturally when you are travelling around you will meet lots of people. If you are anything like me, as soon as you are introduced to someone you will immediately forget their name.
It’s 4.00am and I am covered in diesel. Soaked in stinky slippery diesel. All over my hands, boots, wet weather gear. Its all over the boat too. Hopefully I actually got some of it in the tank? Andrew does not look impressed. I can’t blame him. I had just woken him up to come and…
Ahh summer holidays in New Zealand, relaxing in the sun, cruising around the beautiful bays of the Marlborough Sounds, rafting up with friends. It’s been a great holiday. Until you read a forecast like this… We beat a hasty retreat to the marina where a friend has kindly lent us his berth to use…
We are currently cruising in the Marlborough Sounds. A beautiful part of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s secluded tree lined bays provide perfect quiet anchorages to spend the night. However despite how quiet and sheltered the bay, there are still plenty of things that will keep you awake on a boat at night. …
Well another delivery trip up the coast has been successfully completed. Wildwood usually lives in Lyttelton, where we sail her all year round. However we like to have our holidays on board in the Marlborough Sounds. This is about 183 nautical miles away. A 30 ish hour passage up the East Coast of the South…
Astrolabe Sailing 